Simple Joys

Our tree is up. We let the kids decorate and all the best ornaments are on the bottom third of the tree. I think I’ll leave them there.

We have these cute little Mickey and Minnie ornaments that if you pull their tail, their hands and feet move like a jumping jack. It’s a simple little toy that doesn’t compare in coolness with any other toy my kids have.

But when I let Asa play with them, he was entranced. He pulled the little tail over and over again. He watched the hands jump. His eyes were wide with wonder.

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Yesterday Lydia came home with a sparkly purple, pink and green bracelet. “Look what I got from the treasure box, Mommy!” she said as soon as she got in the car. She was joyful.

The second her Daddy got home she rushed to show him her bracelet, “Daddy! It was golden ticket day in Art. Look what I got!”

She was excited. Thankful. Satisfied.

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I want to bottle that innocence. That naivete. I want my children to be impressed with small things forever. I want them to enjoy the little things for longer than they should. I want them to love what they love and not care what others say.

I want Lydia to always have “golden ticket day” and be excited in small pleasures. I want Asa to see small machines and rejoice in their simplicity.

Today my 5-year-old daughter voluntarily let her brother choose the movie they will watch tonight while I fix dinner. He always says Winnie the Pooh and she always protests until they are forced to find something else. Every. Day. And then tonight, for no good reason, she said, “Abe, you can watch Winnie the Pooh tonight. I picked last night.” And my heart was really happy.

My son is…spirited, to put it mildly. He is 100% boy and stubborn as the day is long. BUT, twice in the last 24 hours, he has surprised me with tender words, and it made my heart sing. This is so unusual for him, I’m still praising God for it!

I was privileged to speak in my son’s school chapel this morning. I got to share with them about JOY! Before we began his sweet principal prayed with me. After it was over I was overwhelmed with joy in knowing that I can pray with my son’s principal and send him to a school where he can celebrate Jesus during Christmas. I know not everyone gets this opportunity and I’m so grateful that God is allowing us to experience St. John’s Lutheran School!

My daughter finds joy in the simple things too! Its amazing how just eating at her favorite resturaunt or a pink sticker makes her eyes light up and her gasp with excitement. I never want her to loose that either!

I am thankful for meeting a new Mommy who has kids my son can play with, and that I can learn from. I, too, hope my son finds gratitude and pleasure in life’s little gifts. I hope that because I smile and show joy over all pleasant things, whether they be big or small, he will also always find something to be grateful for each day, even as an adult. Peace 🙂